Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic expressed his delight in seeing La Masia graduates such as Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, and Eric Garcia featuring prominently in Barcelona’s starting eleven. He emphasized that the current squad could almost field a side made up entirely of homegrown talents, underscoring the academy’s importance as well as the coaches working behind the scenes.
Rakitic noted that many of these young players are under 22 or 23 years old, making their rise even more impressive. For those who join La Masia between the ages of nine and eleven, there is a clear pathway aiming for first-team integration by 18 or 19 — and that trajectory is materializing now.
Regarding Barcelona’s prospects in this season’s Champions League, Rakitic advised not to look too far ahead, recalling last year’s campaign when expectations fell short. He stressed the need to focus on each match and learn from previous mistakes. The first leg of the quarter-finals against Atlético at Camp Nou is scheduled for the upcoming Wednesday.
Several conclusions emerge: firstly, La Masia remains a strategic backbone for the club, supplying young and talented players. Secondly, these prospects enable Barcelona to build for the future while maintaining the club’s iconic philosophy. Thirdly, despite the optimism, concentration and hard work are essential to succeed in the Champions League and avoid past errors.
In summary, the return of academy players to Barcelona’s core not only reflects the club’s traditions but also instills hope in supporters for a successful return to Europe’s football elite. This development is crucial both for the club’s internal stability and its competitive edge on the global stage.
